Toward Graphene-Based Passive UHF RFID Textile Tags: A Reliability Study

This paper discusses the fabrication, wireless performance, and reliability of graphene-based passive ultrahigh-frequency radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags on a fabric substrate. The conductive ink comprising functionalized graphene nanoplatelets is deposited directly on a cotton fabric substrate to fabricate the tag antennas. After attaching the chips, the tag performance is evaluated through wireless tag measurements before and after high-humidity conditions, bending, and stretching. Initially, the peak read range of the tag is about 1.6 m, which increases to 3.2 m in 100% humidity conditions. Additionally, after drying, the performance of the tag returns back to normal. In a bending test, the read range of a bent tag decreases below 1 m. Furthermore, the read range of the tag in a nonbended state gradually decreases and is about 1.1 m after 100 bending cycles. According to our measurements, stretching has a serious detrimental effect on these tags and they cannot be considered stretchable. However, these initial results show that this low-cost and eco-friendly graphene RFID tag has a remarkable and unique response to moisture and high reliability in harsh bending conditions. Overall, it also has a strong potential to be used in future wearable sensor applications.